The University of Toronto Pagan Society began in October 1992.

The founder, Elizabeth Moes, had graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion (1990) and a Bachelor of Education (1992). She had also completed her 2nd Degree in Alexandrian Wicca (1990), led a small group of friends in Pagan ritual, the Circle of the Sacred Wood (1991), and begun teaching secondary school in Toronto.

This combination of education, campus experience, religious training and professional interests inspired her to apply to the Campus Chaplains Association of the University of Toronto to support the Pagan community as a volunteer Chaplain. The Chaplains on staff agreed that there was a need for Pagan support, because they were occasionally getting requests for it, and duly approved the application. Students began calling Elizabeth looking for guidance on the Pagan path(s) and especially looking to connect with other like-spirited students. Thus, the idea of a Hart House Pagan student group was born.

The group met once a week or so, chose a name, composed the constitution and applied for official Hart House student group status. There was no website or Yahoo group in those days because no one was online yet! We advertised with posters tacked up around the campus (which were promptly ripped down or defaced by devil-fearing individuals) and contacted each other through “phone trees”. Nevertheless, we were undaunted and by Yule 1992 we had our first circle, complete with candles, incense, wine, cakes, pine boughs, gifts and laughter.

As Elizabeth continued to represent Pagan interests at campus Chaplain meetings and as the diversity of the Chaplains grew, certain rules around Hart House began to change. The most impressive change was that Hart House Chapel was opened to the Pagan Society for rituals, and the Hart House staff obliged us by adjusting lights, moving chairs, and allowing food and drink for ritual purpose in the chapel.

Since then, devoted students have contributed their time and energy year after year by sitting on the Executive and furthering the evolution of the Society. Now that we’re online with a website and Yahoo group we are stronger than ever, and students who wish to explore Paganism and connect with their fellows are just a click away. So you see…

Magic Happens and the Goddess is Afoot!
Blessed Be.

Liz,
Founder of UTPS
UofT’s first Pagan Chaplain

© 2004 University of Toronto Pagan Society